Mike Weinstein's Amazing Campaign Video Goes Viral
The 2010 elections are still four months out, but voters have already been bombarded with negative campaign ads as politicians wage pernicious attacks against one another.
Florida state representative Mike Weinstein, however, wanted to take a different course. And he says he isn't surprised his positive campaign video "Mike Weinstein (Representing District 19)" is attracting attention.
The video is a little goofy and reminiscent of 2007's popular pro-Hillary Clinton song "Hillary4U&Me" -- but it's also undeniably catchy.
"My goal was to try to come up with a campaign ad that wasn't attacking anyone or being negative. I find that to be so distasteful," Weinstein, a Republican who represents Jacksonville, told Hotsheet. "I wanted to come up with something that could show you could get a little bit of buzz over a commercial without it being negative."
The song features an upbeat tempo and lyrics like, "Mike, Mike, Mike Weinstein, working hard for you and me." It was written by Weinstein's son, Scott Leigh, who writes positive, educational songs for children for a living. The video features Leigh and a crew of hip hop dancers in visors and baggy shorts.
The music video has been viewed more than 10,000 times on YouTube so far, and the song is available for download on Weinstein's website. It's also catching fire on political blogs.
Of course, it may be easier to run a positive campaign in a district that heavily supports your party -- and in a race with no opponents.
Weinstein explained that all four of his potential challengers have dropped out of the running, leaving him unopposed for a second term.
"For one reason or another -- maybe this song, I don't know -- all four of them bailed," he said.
